Are you making the most of your treatment center’s alumni network? In this episode, guest host Cliff McDonald, Chief Growth Officer of Recovery.com, sits down with Ben Wilkins, General Manager of Cared For (a division of Continuum Cloud), to reveal why alumni programs are no longer a “nice to have”—they’re essential for long-term recovery, growth, and community. Discover how technology, peer support, and smart engagement can transform outcomes for both patients and providers.

— Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

— Learn more about Cared For: https://www.caredfor.com/

— Learn more about Continuum Cloud: https://continuumcloud.com/

— Connect with Ben on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentwilkins/

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why alumni programs are now a must-have for treatment centers
• The difference between having an alumni program and doing it well
• How alumni engagement drives referrals, retention, and growth
• The pitfalls of relying solely on Facebook groups for alumni support
• The role of dedicated alumni coordinators and peer support
• How to measure outcomes and ROI for alumni programs
• The impact of technology and apps on post-treatment engagement
• Real-world examples of top-performing alumni programs
• How to create sustainable, meaningful touchpoints after discharge
• The future of alumni programming: AI, digital tools, and community

Timestamps / Shownotes:

00:00 – Introduction & guest welcome
01:05 – Why alumni programs are essential in 2025
03:20 – The competitive advantage and common pitfalls
05:30 – Alumni as an “army of marketers” and referral drivers
08:00 – Personal stories: the impact of post-treatment silence
10:30 – Alumni programs as a marketing and outcomes tool
13:00 – What great alumni programs look like (and common mistakes)
16:00 – The limits of Facebook groups and the need for real engagement
18:30 – Technology’s role: apps, automation, and maintaining connection
22:00 – Measuring ROI: outcomes, referrals, and value-based care
25:00 – How to engage alumni before, during, and after treatment
28:00 – Building sustainable touchpoints and care journeys
30:00 – The future: AI, peer support, and evolving alumni engagement
32:00 – Final thoughts and takeaways

Welcome to another episode of Recovery Reach! Guest host Cliff McDonald, Chief Growth Officer of Recovery.com, sits down with Wade Muhlhauser, CEO and founder of Plugged In Recovery, to explore how personal narrative and authenticity can become powerful assets in building a brand that truly converts in behavioral health. Wade shares his journey from corporate life to recovery leadership, revealing how vulnerability, data-driven strategy, and a people-first approach can transform both organizations and lives. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or someone passionate about recovery, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

— Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

— Learn more about Plugged In Recovery: https://pluggedinrecovery.com/

— Connect with Wade on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wade-muhlhauser-b9347735

Topics Covered:

• Wade’s founder story: from corporate to recovery leadership
• The power of authenticity and vulnerability in branding
• Reframing “conversions” as helping people, not transactions
• Building admissions and marketing strategies with KPIs and systems
• Leveraging technology and a strong tech stack in behavioral health
• The value of lived experience vs. business acumen in hiring
• Lifestyle and alumni-driven content for audience growth
• Educating and supporting clients through the continuum of care
• Creating a proactive, differentiated content strategy
• Training and coaching admissions/frontline staff for empathy and impact

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

• 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Wade Muhlhauser and today’s topic
• 1:05 – Wade’s journey: authenticity, vulnerability, and leadership
• 4:30 – Embracing lived experience and being “outed” in recovery
• 7:00 – Reframing conversions: people over transactions
• 10:45 – Bringing corporate KPIs and systems into behavioral health
• 15:00 – Tech stacks, business acumen, and competitive advantages
• 20:00 – Building a team: lived experience vs. outside expertise
• 25:00 – Lifestyle content, alumni engagement, and audience growth
• 30:00 – Explaining the continuum of care and client education
• 35:00 – Admissions playbooks, data, and experimentation
• 40:00 – Training staff for empathy, compassion, and brand alignment
• 45:00 – Lasting relationships, community trust, and closing thoughts

In this episode, host Clint sits down with Jen Carvalho, CEO of The Haven at College, to explore what truly sets behavioral health organizations apart. With over 20 years of executive experience and a personal journey in recovery, Jen shares her insights on authentic differentiation, leadership, and building a culture that delivers real impact for clients and staff alike. If you work in behavioral health, lead a team, or want to build a brand that stands out, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom.

— Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

— Learn more about The Haven At College: https://thehavenatcollege.com/

— Connect with Jen on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-carvalhobh/

Key Discussion Points
• Why most treatment centers sound the same—and how to break out of the sameness trap
• The difference between external marketing and internal culture
• How authentic clinical philosophy drives real differentiation
• The importance of showcasing your team, not just your facilities
• High turnover in behavioral health: causes and solutions
• Building a culture of appreciation, ownership, and engagement
• The power of niche: why The Haven focuses on college students
• Aligning marketing and clinical teams for brand integrity
• Leadership’s role in creating a healing, resilient organization
• Jen’s personal recovery journey and how it shapes her leadership

Timestamped Show Notes
0:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest, Jen Carvalho
0:35 – Jen’s background: CEO of The Haven at College, 20+ years in behavioral health, personal recovery story
1:18 – Why “differentiation” in treatment centers is often just surface-level marketing
2:37 – The real value: deep clinical philosophy and internal focus
4:39 – The challenge of turnover and why many centers don’t showcase their staff
7:48 – How to honor and elevate your team, and why it matters for clients
8:48 – Industry turnover rates: 35-40% and the emotional toll of the work
10:10 – Burnout, career advancement, and the need for self-care in behavioral health
11:57 – Jen’s approach to building culture and professional development
13:37 – The importance of supporting staff and recognizing their impact
16:22 – Authentic differentiation: supporting clinicians’ passions and specialties
18:10 – Telling stories of change: making clinicians and staff the heroes
20:22 – The role of every team member in creating a healing environment
22:06 – The power of niche: why The Haven focuses on college students and the benefits of specialization
25:36 – Marketing vs. clinical: bridging the gap for brand authenticity
28:36 – Leadership’s responsibility: vision, culture, and empowering teams
31:32 – Jen’s recovery journey and how it informs her leadership style
34:37 – Final thoughts: the value of focus, alignment, and human connection in behavioral health